
Syria: Couple shows support for Russia by naming newborn baby 'Rossiya'
A Syrian couple from Damascus announced on Thursday that they had named their newborn child 'Rossiya,' Russia in Arabic, to show their gratitude for the support Moscow has offered the Syrian government in its fight against terrorism.
"We wanted to thank Russia and the Russian state for helping our country and Syrian people," said Rossiya's father, former kick-boxing champion Ali Abbas. "Russia is the only country, great country, which helps Syria and which fights against terrorists," he added.
Russia launched an air campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) and other militant groups in Syria on September 30, following an official request from the Syrian government.

A Syrian couple from Damascus announced on Thursday that they had named their newborn child 'Rossiya,' Russia in Arabic, to show their gratitude for the support Moscow has offered the Syrian government in its fight against terrorism.
"We wanted to thank Russia and the Russian state for helping our country and Syrian people," said Rossiya's father, former kick-boxing champion Ali Abbas. "Russia is the only country, great country, which helps Syria and which fights against terrorists," he added.
Russia launched an air campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) and other militant groups in Syria on September 30, following an official request from the Syrian government.